Anyone use one of these. Wife has become allergic w/i the past year to among other things dust mites, various trees, ragweed etc. At times it's really been affecting her daily life. We're going to buy a new vacuum, change some carpets, have some others professionally cleaned and we're thinking of getting 2 of these for the house, and one for her 2nd grade classroom. Thought's? anyone else dealing with this? Thanks much for any help!!

Workin' 4 Toys

08-23-2006, 01:33 PM

One of my buddie's kid was in similar situation, he replaced the kids room and hallway with hardwood floors.
Problem so far "seems" to have gotten much better. If I recall he also did something with (OR got a new) the bed and bedding.

justinlkgb

08-23-2006, 01:44 PM

I have heard that they don't work very well. Have no proof to back it up. I think there was a infomercial about a purifier by the guy that sells ORECK vaccums. What about a new filter for the AC or Heater. Some of them are really good. :twocents:

bcampbe7

08-23-2006, 01:48 PM

The filters that block most of the allergens also block the airflow, which will cause your AC unit to work harder.

You can get those charged filters installed, but I am not sure what they cost. I would imagine they are not cheap.

I take 1/2 a Zyrtec daily and it has helped tremendously. My wife benefitted from allergy shots.

88 PS190

08-23-2006, 01:51 PM

mixed reviews on them, the definately gather dust on the plates which i assume they aren't making the dust and therefore its removing dust from the environment.

see if you can't demo either that one or the one from oreck and see if it helps her out.

I know ozone machines really take the odors out of the air, and has made our basement more pleasurable.

Workin' 4 Toys

08-23-2006, 01:55 PM

Also whole house UltraViolet options (http://www.popularmechanics.com/home_improvement/home_improvement/1275931.html?page=1&c=y)

mitch

08-23-2006, 02:19 PM

Thanks all, good info

SD190EVO

08-23-2006, 03:08 PM

They sound iffy to me:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7391185/

I would not buy anything from Sharper Image anymore. Good luck.

Workin' 4 Toys

08-23-2006, 03:33 PM

Those in that article aren't the same as UltraViolet.

michael freeman

08-23-2006, 03:57 PM

I know ozone machines really take the odors out of the air, and has made our basement more pleasurable.

Ozone is very bad to breath! It will also destroy rubber items (tires, etc.)

Ozone O3 is what triggers the pollution alerts you hear on the news.

I like the Ion filter idea, but the major problem is that they increase ozone levels way above what you really want to see in the house.

I was looking into buying one of the Ion filters when I read about the warnings that they create large amounts of Ozone.

I would guess the main reason they have been adding the extra thing on the front to “turn smog into O2” is because their machine creates smog (O3) in the first place.

Hope this helps.

M-Funf

08-23-2006, 04:33 PM

Ozone is very bad to breath! It will also destroy rubber items (tires, etc.)

I'm not completely sold on that. I have not seen any clinical data to support that, either. If you have a link to a study showing this is true, I'd love to take a look...

The air we breath every day is bad. New carpets will give you migranes...a new car smell is bad for you...just breathing will kill you...so will everything you eat...

I started having allergy problems about 5 years ago (age onset). I was on Allegra, but have now switched to Flonase. It also helps with my snoring.

We removed all of the carpet in our house and sanded down the old wood floors and sealed them. We change linens often, try to keep dust down, and clean the rugs often as well (bought a steam cleaner). Most of these changes weren't to help my allergies, but they did (bonus!)

I've noticed a big difference in my allergy problems. Our house is not sealed well at all. Everything leaks...windows, doors, floors! So it doesn't make a whole lot of sense for us to put in such a system, but it may work for you...

Hoff1

08-23-2006, 04:36 PM

I agree with the danger in ozone. I did a lot of research on these as well. Stumbled upon this report.

There are some that work well with little or no ozone, but you'll have pay a little for them.

Other options are the new whole house cleaner things. Several of the big air conditioning companies are making them now. Here's the one that my company makes (not trying to promote - Carrier makes them too). I'm sure these are the priciest, but most effective options.
http://trane.com/Residential/CleanAir/CleanEffects.aspx

agua4fun

08-23-2006, 07:15 PM

I have an older model, I like it and it seems to work well. Definitly collects dust on the plates, and yes you can smell ozone. I buy refurb items from their outlet store, save big $, and haven't had any problems yet.

Try:
http://www.sharperimage.com/us/en/catalog/product/sku__SI859ZZZ

We put a central vac in a few years ago, and that is great! nothing bypasses the filter because the exhaust end up outside!